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Summer Quarterly News Update

Hello, ACTE Administration Division Members!  

I am honored to introduce myself as the new Vice President of the ACTE Administration Division. My name is Sandra Adams, and I currently serve as the career and technical education (CTE) area director and principal for a large urban CTE school in Indiana. Like you, I have had the privilege of working closely with dedicated educators and administrators to enhance the quality of CTE for our students.  

As I step into this new position, I am committed to continuing the excellent work of my predecessor, Eric Ripley. One of my primary goals is to establish a robust leadership network within our division. By fostering a community where we can consistently share best practices, I believe we can collectively elevate the standards of CTE administration and support each other in our professional growth.

I look forward to collaborating with all of you and am excited about the opportunities ahead. Together, we can make a significant impact on the future of CTE.

Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn to stay updated and engage in further discussions: Sandra Adams, Ph.D.

Thank you for your continued dedication and contributions.

Warm regards

Sandra Adams, Ph.D

VP, ACTE Administration Division

Administration Division News

Upcoming Events for ACTE Administrators

We are excited to announce several upcoming events designed for both secondary and post-secondary leaders to network and learn innovative best practices for their CTE staffs.

Join Us at Best Practices!



Date: Oct. 9–11

Location: Portland, OR 

Join us in Portland for the Best Practices and Innovation Conference, where you will have the opportunity to attend featured pre-conference sessions by renowned speakers Rachel Mann and Mark C. Perna.

Don’t Miss These Sessions!

Leading Stakeholders, Staff and Students Fearlessly Into the Smart Machine Age

Speaker: Mark Perna

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1:00–5:00 p.m.

Location: Hilton Portland Downtown

Cost: $150

You’ll discover the power of a human connection to bring both students and staff on board with your vision. From administrators, teachers and counselors to bus drivers and other classified staff, your team will be empowered to make a bigger difference than ever before.

Join Mark in this fast-paced workshop to:



• Grasp the “sticky” strategies to attract and retain teaching and classified top talent
• Understand and employ the key leadership traits to navigate the coming seismic shifts in education and workforce development
• Create a powerful narrative and rally point to bring your community together around a shared vision
• And much more!

Pack Your Bags for the AI-Driven Landscape of Work and Education

Speaker: Rachael Mann

Date: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Location: Hilton Portland Downtown

Cost: $150

In an era where the only constant is change, CTE leaders and key stakeholders are at the forefront of preparing students for a future that is being reshaped by artificial intelligence. As AI continues to transform the landscape of work across all industries, from healthcare to finance and manufacturing to retail, it is imperative for education leaders to guide students through this AI-integrated landscape. This workshop aims to demystify AI, explore its ethical implications, and provide efficiency tools for leaders and educators.

Stay tuned for more details on additional events throughout the year, where you can continue to connect with fellow administrators and share best practices to enhance the quality of CTE programs.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming Webinar

Academies 101

Sept. 9, 3:00 p.m. EST 

Donna Gilley

Academies 101 is a webinar presented by Donna Gilley—retired director of the academies of Nashville and current Ford NGL community coach—and offers an in-depth exploration of career academies and their distinction from traditional CTE programming. Participants will reflect on their personal motivations for engaging in this transformational work, learn about Ford NGL's community-connected approach, identify how all stakeholders get engaged in this model, and ultimately better understand how career academies take good CTE programming to the next level. 

2024–25 Administration Division Policy Committee Members

I am excited to announce our 2024–25 Administration Division policy committee members, representing all CTE leaders.

Meet ACTE Fellow Toinette Outland

2024 ACTE National Leadership Fellow, Administration Division

Toinette Outland has dedicated the past eight years to serving as the Instructional Supervisor for Newport News Public Schools. Her unwavering commitment to advancing CTE has brought her back to her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia, where she assumed the role of principal at the Portsmouth Advanced Career Education (PACE) Center in July 2024. The PACE Center, scheduled to open in Fall 2025, will offer advanced technical programs in automotive technology, building trades, welding, nurse aide, patient care technician, and cybersecurity.

Outland supports the ACTE fellowship's mission to cultivate a strong network of leaders who will inspire and mentor others in the field. Toinette says her goal is to leverage the knowledge and resources gained from this program to enhance CTE across the state, expanding career pathway opportunities that prepare students for the emerging workforce. “This fellowship will empower me to be a more effective CTE leader and advocate, equipping me to provide impactful professional development for CTE administrators and teachers. Additionally, the chance to connect with legislators to influence funding and policies that affect our programs is invaluable. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the curation of instructional resources that will benefit the entire CTE community, and I look forward to the possibilities this professional learning community offers.”

Integration of Emerging Technologies

CTE programs are increasingly incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and cloud computing. These advancements are transforming traditional industries and creating new career pathways. For example, modern manufacturing facilities now utilize advanced technologies, making them clean, efficient, and highly attractive workplaces. This trend ensures that students are prepared for high-demand, high-wage jobs in the evolving job market.

The National Career Clusters Framework is being updated to better align with the current and future workforce needs. This modernization effort aims to make the framework more inclusive of emerging sectors and to bridge the gap between industry and education. By doing so, it provides students with more personalized and interdisciplinary career pathways, preparing them for a variety of careers and ensuring they have the skills needed for the modern workplace.

There is a growing emphasis on introducing students to career pathways at younger ages. By exposing students to various career options earlier, educators can help them make more informed decisions about their futures. This approach not only broadens students' horizons but also helps them develop relevant skills and interests from an early stage. Programs that integrate STEM education in elementary and middle schools are particularly effective in this regard.

These trends highlight the dynamic nature of CTE and underscore the importance of staying current with industry developments to effectively prepare students for the future of work.

Are you going to ACTE's Careertech VISION? Techniques is! Submit a story idea for one of our fall issues, and let your colleagues know where to find you this Dec. 4–

7 in San Antonio, Texas. Techniques is still accepting content proposals for the fall. Check out the list of themes here!

We hope you found this edition of the ACTE Administration Division newsletter insightful and engaging. Your thoughts and opinions are invaluable to us, and we encourage all administration members to share their feedback and ideas. Let's continue to foster a collaborative and supportive community.

From ACTE

Don’t Miss the CTE Event of the Year!

Happening this Dec. 4–7 in San Antonio, Texas, ACTE’s CareerTech VISION is the must-attend event for CTE professionals!

• Gather with your peers and grow professionally.
• Learn via hundreds of concurrent high-quality CTE sessions that address the full range of issues facing CTE.
• Ignite your inspiration while you learn from innovative keynote speakers and leaders on our main stage.
• Explore the CareerTech Expo, which features hundreds of exhibits, workshops and demonstrations.
• Kick-start your event experience with pre-conference workshops and tours on focused CTE topics.
• Celebrate the extraordinary contributions of CTE professionals, programs and organizations at the ACTE Awards Gala.

Register by Oct. 13 to take advantage of discounted rates!

Extend Your VISION Experience with Catapult Masterclasses

Join us for a CareerTech VISION special offer! Gain transformative insights and increased support for your programs through Catapult’s masterclasses. Equipping you with the tools to advance career-connected learning and CTE, Catapult makes education relevant for your students. Choose from the following on-demand masterclasses and receive content access for five months. ACTE members who attend VISION will receive a 10% discount on each masterclass!

• Career Readiness
• Employer Partnerships
• Instructional Excellence
• Student Recruitment and Marketing
• Work-based learning

Click the button to learn more and sign up via CareerTech VISION registration.

Calling All Postsecondary CTE Professionals

Join us at ACTE’s Postsecondary CTE Summit, happening Sept. 18–20 in Chicago, Illinois, to address: promising practices and emerging technologies; building community partnerships; the future of teaching and learning in postsecondary CTE; data interpretation, and more! Don’t miss this must-attend event for postsecondary CTE professionals to ensure your students are successful in their educational journeys and beyond!

Boutique Event for CTE Administrators

Join us this Oct. 9–11 in Portland, Oregon, for the Best Practices and Innovations in CTE Conference, from ACTE and the National Council of Local Administrators. This event offers focused content on strengthening the field for CTE administrators of both secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and institutions. Check out the program lineup, including keynote speakers, pre-conference workshops and tours!

Deadline to Submit Applications for ACTE’s Leadership Programs

Apply by Sept. 30

ACTE’s premier leadership programs provide CTE professionals opportunities to enhance their leadership potential through the following three yearlong programs.

• ACTE National Leadership Fellowship: Fellows will receive a $1,500 stipend and complimentary registration to ACTE’s CareerTech VISION and National Policy Seminar.

• NextLevel Postsecondary CTE Fellowship: This nationally recognized program is now a registration-based initiative. Registration fees for accepted applicants will be $3,000 (not including lodging or travel for in-person events).

• IAED Mentorship Program, sponsored by IMAGO: Participants will receive complimentary registration to ACTE’s CareerTech VISION and free access to IMAGO’s intelligence learning platform content.

The deadline to apply for these leadership programs is Sept. 30.

Affinity Groups to Support You!

This fall, ACTE is launching a series of all-new affinity groups designed to support CTE professionals with common identities, interests or experiences in building community. It is our goal that these groups will serve as platforms on which members engage in mentoring relationships and have discussions aimed at personal and professional growth.

• Asian CTE Professionals
• Black CTE Professionals
• CTE Professionals w/Disabilities
• Hispanic CTE Professionals
• LGBTQ+ CTE Professionals
• Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) CTE Professionals
• Women in CTE Leadership
• Young CTE Professionals (Under 40)

To learn more, contact Candice Mott.